Elgar and Temba Bavuma are the one specialist batters with earlier expertise within the nation. An enormous quantity rests on them if South Africa’s sturdy bowling assault is to have sufficient runs to work with. But it is Elgar’s fortunes which might be prone to be vital to their possibilities. He has 13 Test centuries; among the many remainder of the touring squad there are 4. His common of 38.83 is South Africa’s finest whereas Australia have two batters – Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith – who stand at over 60.
“All the batters have to stand up,” Elgar mentioned. “It’s been a bit of a talking point that’s been surrounding our batting unit of late. Again, I’ve never shied away from that. It’s time for the guys to rise up, time for myself personally to put my hand up and make a massive play for us. We’ve got a really talented group, they are just a little inexperienced when it comes to Test cricket. They don’t have a lot of baggage coming into the series. They just need to take the opportunities when they come their way.”
There has been some controversy across the absence of Ryan Rickelton. He was deemed unfit for the tour, with an ankle surgical procedure on the finish of the season supplied as the rationale, however has been churning out runs in home cricket again in South Africa. Elgar, nonetheless, remained diplomatic and backed those that had made it to Australia.
“We come from South Africa where the wickets are pretty green and juicy. From a personal point of I don’t really shy away from that and I know our batters don’t either.”
Dean Elgar
“I always carry the weight of scoring runs, I’m the senior batter,” he mentioned. “With my external pressures of being the captain I’ve got to score runs. Very much aware of that. It’s always something I thrive on, think it brings the best out of me.”
For the opening Test, the groups had been greeted by a pitch that remained very inexperienced. Australia had been taking it of their stride with the assistance of native data, whereas Elgar took the glass-half-full view given the place his crew’s strengths lie, somewhat than the weak spot.
“The wicket does look a little friendly for our bowling unit which is nice, but in saying that the green colour doesn’t really scare us,” he mentioned. “We come from South Africa where the wickets are pretty green and juicy. From a personal point of I don’t really shy away from that and I know our batters don’t either.”
Since readmission, South Africa have solely performed on the Gabba as soon as, on the 2012 tour, which was a excessive-scoring draw. But although Australia’s stranglehold on the venue was ended by India in early 2021, it has remained one in all their favorite venues.
“We don’t have any dirty laundry in terms of playing at the Gabba,” Elgar mentioned. “The history here is obviously not in our favour and that’s okay. You’ve got to have the mindset of playing to win. Australia’s a really tough place to play cricket but also such a rewarding place if you get things right. You have to go beyond what you are used to and [you] have to savour the moment.”
